Canada-Quebec Partnership to Benefit Sherbrooke

An important investment for the multi-sport and health centre at Bishop's University

SHERBROOKE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 21, 2009) - The Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles, Mr. Daniel Petit, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, John Baird, and Ms. Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, MNA for Saint-Francois, Chair of the Conseil du Tresor and Minister responsible for Government Administration, on behalf of Mr. Laurent Lessard, Quebec's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, are pleased to announce today that the governments of Canada and Quebec have designated the multi-sport and health centre at Bishop's University, in Sherbrooke, as a priority project for infrastructure funding.

The project involves the redevelopment of the John H. Price Sports Centre, including the construction of an arena and related services, the addition of a gymnasium and related services, and the addition of administration offices over the locker rooms for the arena and soccer/football field users.

"Our joint investment in the multi-sport and health centre at Bishop's University's will provide the City of Sherbrooke with modern sports infrastructure to host the 2013 Canada Games and will enable young athletes to practise their favourite sports all year round", stated MP Petit. "The Government of Canada is proud to work with the Government of Quebec and the City of Sherbrooke in order to accomplish this major project that will stimulate the regional economy and promote the creation of jobs, in addition to encourage physical activity among Sherbrooke's residents."

"By contributing to this major project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to provide municipalities in Quebec with infrastructure that is adapted to our realities and based on sustainable development. This is an essential element of a rich, modern and creative economy. By investing new capital in the Quebec infrastructure plan, le Plan quebecois des infrastructures, the Government wants to accelerate the completion of numerous infrastructure work within the province of Quebec to improve the well-being of the citizens of Quebec, create jobs and support a thriving economy. The Government wants to leave municipalities with a legacy of quality infrastructure, indispensable tools required to meet the challenges of the future", added Minister Gagnon-Tremblay.

The total project cost is estimated at $29.5 million. The Government of Canada will provide a maximum of $13.25 million, for a contribution of up to 50 per cent of the project's total eligible costs. The Government of Quebec will provide matching funding and the City of Sherbrooke will invest $3 million.

The federal government's contribution comes under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, which funds the completion of major infrastructure projects.

The Government of Quebec's contribution comes from the government's infrastructure plan, le Plan quebecois des infrastructures, under which $42 billion will be invested across Quebec over the next five years, specifically to upgrade, renew and maintain Quebec's public infrastructure.

The federal investment complements the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, which accelerates and expands on existing federal investments of $33 billion in infrastructure, by injecting nearly $12 billion over two years in new infrastructure stimulus funding.

For more information on the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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BACKGROUNDER

CANADA-QUEBEC INVESTMENT TO BENEFIT SHERBROOKE

An investment of up to $29.5 million for the multi-sport and health centre at Bishop's University

The governments of Quebec and Canada have earmarked a joint sum of up to $26.5 million for the multi-sport and health centre at Bishop's University, in Sherbrooke.

The total project cost is estimated at $29.5 million.

The sports infrastructure on Bishop's University campus is used by the university community, but also by those from other nearby institutions, such as Champlain Regional College and Alexander Galt Regional High School, as well as the community from the Lennoxville borough of Sherbrooke.

The existing facilities, the W.B. Scott Arena and the John H. Price Sports Centre, were built in 1960 and 1975, respectively, and need to be upgraded. Bishop's University is proposing to upgrade the John H. Price Sports Centre and to construct a new 800-seat arena. This infrastructure will increase the number of physical education and amateur sports facilities in Sherbrooke and will be central to the 2013 Canada Games that will be held in this city.

The project includes the following components:

1) redevelopment of the John H. Price Sports Centre to install a double gymnasium;

2) construction of an 800-seat arena.

Federal funding is conditional on the project meeting all federal eligibility requirements of the Building Canada Fund and on the signing of a contribution agreement with the Government of Quebec.

Canada and Quebec have agreed that close to $1.5 billion will be spent on public infrastructure of national or regional significance under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund.

Contact Information

Office of the Minister of Transport, John BairdChris DayPress Secretary613-991-0700orInfrastructure Canada613-948-1148orOffice of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions andLand OccupancySylvain BourassaPress Secretary418-691-2050